Key Urban Design Elements

8/12/2019 Key Urban Design Elements

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http://www.ura.gov.sg/uol/urban-planning/vision/Key.aspx

Urban Planning & Design

VISION AND PRINCIPLES PRINT

In shaping a dynamic, distinctive and delightful city, we consider the following key elements. They help toguide developments and enhance the quality and character of our built environment.

Urban PatternOur city has different districts which are structured by different urban patterns, giving each area a distinctivelocal character.

For example, the Orchard Road and the Singapore River areas are developed along commercial spines, with

shops and businesses lined along the streets and river. However, Marina Bay is structured on a grid which is

an extension of the existing CBD grid pattern. Developments will be developed in a grid, punctuated by parksand open spaces. This provides a simpler structure for people to navigate the streets, and flexibility to

accommodate developments of various scales.

Urban Pattern of Singapores City Centre

Building formVariation in building height, volume, and the way in which buildings are grouped together, are examples of

how building form contributes to the unique character of specific areas. Building forms are guided by specific

uses of buildings. As they have an impact on the streetscape, it is important that their forms respond to their

surroundings.

For example, developments along Orchard Road, however, have shopping podiums with high-rise towers set

further away from the road.This gives a sense of openness to the tree-lined pedestrian mall, that has become

a signature feature of Orchard Road. Buildings in the CBD were historically built tall and to the full sitecoverage, reflecting the need to optimise the land to maximise its value. Hence, current UD guidelines guide

development to be contextual to the existing urban forms.

Key Urban Design Elements

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Open SpacesOpen spaces can be grand central plazas and squares, or small, lush pocket parks. They can also be

soothing sanctuaries amid the urban hurly-burly or packed with people. Parks like Gardens by the Bay and

the plaza in front of Cathay Building and School of the Arts (SOTA) provide respite in our high-rise cityenvironment. You get to soak in the sun, enjoy the lush greenery and to interact with fellow city dwellers at

these open spaces. These open spaces also act as landmarks and unique setting for events and celebrations.

Pedestrian networkWell-connected pedestrian networks to allow people to move easily and comfortably within the city, and

facilitate the use of public transportation. It connects open spaces, points of interest and parks, and can be at

different levels, allowing you to appreciate the city from different perspectives.

Walking to the Esplanade from City Hall MRT takes only about 15 minutes via the City Link underground

pedestrian network. The link-way is also lined with shopping and dining options.

Other pedestrian networks include pedestrian malls, promenades, covered walkways and link-ways, through-

block links and overhead linkages.

Vehicular accessThe location of car parks and drop-off points affect the way vehicles navigate their way around the city. It

also influences how pedestrians experience the city. It is important to separate pedestrians from vehicular


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traffic to avoid causing danger and conflict to pedestrians.

For example, the drop-off point at Mandarin Gallery used to be located in front of the buildings along the

main Orchard Road pedestrian mall. This mix of vehicular and pedestrian traffic was not ideal, and caused

disruptions to pedestrians. After Mandarin Gallery was refurbished , the drop-off point was relocated to theside, along Orchard Link. This opened up the front of the development for activity generating uses and also

provides pedestrians with a safer and more pleasant environment.

StreetscapeStreets can make our interaction with our city richer and memorable. The character of the street is

contributed by active uses at the street level including signage, lighting, landscaping, building form and

architecture.

For example, the experience of walking along the Singapore River is designed to respond to the river and to

play up its attributes. Buildings are located away from the river to provide a wide promenade next to the river

for pedestrians. The front sections of new buildings cannot be higher than 4 storeys, to complement theexisting conserved buildings and also preserve a sense of openness, preventing visitors from feeling dwarved

by looming buildings along the river. Alfresco dining and landscaping along the river promenade also adds to

the riverine ambience.

4-storey and 10-storey developments fronting Singapore River

RoofscapeRoofs are literally the crowning glory of buildings. A good roof design enhances the building form, contributes

to the skyline, and reinforces the character of a district.

Looking over the Singapore River district, you will see that conserved shophouses and newer developmentsboth feature pitched roofs and clay tiles of a distinctive terracotta colour, making a coherent skyline. In

addition, roofs can also be turned into active usable spaces, like the skypark at Marina Bay Sands which also

offers attractive panoramic views of the city.


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Night LightingNight lighting extends the life of the city, beyond twilight and sunset. It also enhances the character of a place

and experience of the city at night.

Through our Night Lighting Master Plan, we encourage building owners in the CBD, Marina Bay and MarinaCentre areas, whose buildings contribute to our signature skyline, to incorporate lighting to key building

elements such as building crowns, sky gardens, building facades, and covered walkways so that a unquie

three-dimensional skyline can be appreciated at night.

Guidelines on the colour temperature of the lighting are intended to reflect use and height of the building.

Illuminated skylin e around Marina Bay

GreeneryAs a tropical City in a Garden, greenery plays an important role in our urban design, and developments are

encouraged to provide greenery (on the ground or skyrise) in the city. For example, the sky terraces at

Parkroyal Hotel at Pickering Street allow hotel guests to enjoy greenery at new heights.

Other than its environmental benefitshelping to clean the air and mitigating the urban heat island effect

greenery can help shape the streetscape, reinforce the character of a place, and make the public spaces

more comfortable by providing shade.


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Sky terraces at Parkroyal Hotel at Pickering Street

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Key Urban Design Elements

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